26 BULLETIN 394, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
Average rate of operating expenses on sales (33 stores ) per cent__ 11. 7 
Average produce bought (estimated) (22 stores) $12,126.08 
Average annual cost of audit (15 stores) $56.00 
Manager's average monthly salary (42 stores) $106.00 
Salesmen's average monthly salary (31 stores) $50.00 
Saleswomen's average monthly salary (26 stores) $32.00 
OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS. 
The figures collected in this survey bring the conclusion that the 
majority of the cooperative stores established are unsuccessful in 
achieving their main object — saving on purchases to members and 
a reduction of the high cost of living. This conclusion is borne out 
by the supplementary notes collected from managers who could not 
apply statistics, and by notes on interviews with leaders who are 
acquainted with the store movement in whole sections which could 
not be covered in detail. But that there is one real service which 
the cooperative stores have performed seems to have been demon- 
strated again and again. Even in cases where stores have failed 
absolutely and gone into bankruptcy, they have frequently been 
]*esponsible for the introduction of improved business methods in 
the towns where they were established. They have had the effect 
of stimulating competition. In cases where the merchants have 
competed keenly against the cooperative store, they have been com- 
pelled to adopt more efficient business methods. This has resulted 
in lower prices to every consumer in the locality and frequently in 
better prices to farmers on produce. 
In the case of one particular farmers' store, it was estimated that 
the farmers of the locality received an increase on their butter, eggs, 
and poultry in one year which would have amounted to more than 
the entire paid-in capital stock of the cooperative store. This gain 
went to every farmer in the community regardless of whether or 
not he was a member of the cooperative association. 
Table XII. — General comments. 
Is the business in satisfactory con- 
dition (manager's opinion) 32 yes; 15 fair; 1 no. 
Has the business been reorganized 6 yes ; 37 no. 
Expansion planned 12 yes; 30 no. 
Educational propaganda 12 yes; 30 no. 
Probable future (manager's opinion) ..Bright, 20; good, 11; fair, 3; doubtful, 
12 ; not good, 3. 
Cooperation with other merchants 8 yes; 33 no. 
Are employees members? 9 yes; 24 no. 
How do expenses compare with private 
business in town? 4 higher; 12 same; 11 lower. 
